CCAC picks quarter designs

Designs for five America the Beautiful quarters to be released in 2015 were reviewed when the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee met Feb. 11.

The coins honor parks or national monuments in Nebraska, Louisiana, North Carolina, Delaware and New York.

Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska was created in 1936 “to commemorate the people whose lives were forever altered by the Homestead Act and the settlement of the West.”

The CCAC endorsed design No. 2, which depicts food, shelter and water, three fundamentals to survival common to all homesteaders. CCAC Chairman Gary Marks said the design received 19 votes. With all 11 members present, the maximum vote total a coin design could receive was 33.

Members asked that the circle of 30 stars that symbolize the 30 states that participated in the Homestead Act be removed, and a representative of the Monument of America asked that the words “Free Land” be included on the coin.

Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana contains more than 600,000 acres of land that is home to 400 miles of trails, bayous, bald cypress groves and long leaf pine trees.

The CCAC endorsed design No. 7 that depicts a red cockaded woodpecker in flight against long leaf pine trees. It received 21 votes. Marks said the CCAC has asked that the trees in the background of the design be trimmed to more clearly define the bird.
Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina extends 469 miles connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

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The CCAC endorsed design No. 5 that showcases the drive’s scenic beauty along the Parkway at Linn Cove Viaduct. It received 27 votes.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware was established in 1937 as part of a chain of refuges for migrating birds that extends from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The CCAC endorsed design No. 1 that depicts a great blue heron with a fish in its beak. It received 20 votes. Marks said the committee asked that the horizon line be eliminated.

Saratoga National Historical Park in New York is the site of the British army surrender to American forces in 1777. The park commemorates the beginning of the end of the Revolutionary War.

Although presented with 10 designs, none received a majority 17 votes needed to make an endorsement, Marks said. Design No. 3 received the most votes – 14. After further discussion the CCAC passed a motion recommending the design, which is a close-up of the sword surrender and the inscription “Surrender 1777.”

Marks said the CCAC asked that the word “British” be stacked on top of the word “Surrender.”

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